IU Southeast vs. NKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana University Southeast in New Albany, IN with Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Kentucky University is larger than IU Southeast based on total student enrollment (15,347 students vs. 3,736 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana University Southeast is located in New Albany, IN (Rural Fringe setting); Northern Kentucky University is in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting).
• Indiana University Southeast is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana University Southeast 13:1; Northern Kentucky University 19:1.

IU Southeast vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU Southeast or NKU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Indiana University Southeast than NKU ($9,102 vs. $9,211).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Southeast are 6.1% lower than at Northern Kentucky University ($11,940 vs. $12,712).
• Northern Kentucky University is 31.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU Southeast (about $2,664 more per year; $11,088.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.1% higher at IU Southeast than at Northern Kentucky University (about $899 more per year; $22,811.00 vs. $21,912.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than at Indiana University Southeast (98% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 40.6% larger than aid received by Indiana University Southeast students ($10,332 vs. $7,347).

IU Southeast vs. NKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IU Southeast or NKU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between NKU and IU Southeast.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University Southeast (1080) is 30 points higher than at NKU (1050).
• Incoming IU Southeast students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at NKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Southeast 970/1180; Northern Kentucky University 953/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Southeast 20/25; Northern Kentucky University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU Southeast - Test optional; NKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NKU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at IU Southeast (3.31).
• IU Southeast has a higher acceptance rate (84.5%) than NKU (67.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39.7% at IU Southeast vs. 36.8% at NKU.

IU Southeast vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU Southeast and NKU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Northern Kentucky University's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than Indiana University Southeast's (27%).
• Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than IU Southeast graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,700 vs. $38,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University Southeast graduates have a $4,689 lower median loan debt than NKU graduates ($20,261 vs. $24,950).
• Among borrowers, IU Southeast graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NKU graduates ($209 vs. $257).
• More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU Southeast students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.